For more than five decades, the Black Ski Summit has been a cornerstone of Black Snowsports, part celebration, part family reunion, part once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
The National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS) Black Summit returns to Keystone in 2026 - bringing together thousands of skiers, snowboarders, and supporters from more than 60 clubs nationwide.
It’s the United States’ largest gathering of Black Snowsports enthusiasts, and for more than five decades, it’s been where culture, community, and the love of winter come together in unforgettable ways.
What to Expect at the NBS Summit
The full schedule for the 2026 Summit will be announced soon, but guests can expect the return of marquee moments and brand-new experiences both on and off the mountain, all designed to celebrate Black Excellence in motion.
Ski Jammers is Texas’ first predominately Black ski club
On the Mountain
A week of snow-filled adventure and community energy awaits attendees:
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- NBS Day - First Tracks for All (New This Year): Start the morning with exclusive early-lift access and mountain-wide group runs led by NBS clubs.
- Torchlight Ski Parade (New This Year): Light up the night as the NBS community descends the slopes together - a can’t-miss new tradition.
- Club Races & Youth Programs: Friendly competition and development for riders of every age and ability.
- Guided Group Runs & Lessons: Explore Keystone’s legendary terrain alongside experienced instructors and lifelong friends.
- Adaptive & All-Level Clinics: Because every rider deserves to find their line.
Off the Mountain
When the lifts close, the celebration continues:
- Annual BBQ Bash: Back by popular demand! Food, music, and fellowship under the stars.
- “Big Mountain Soul” Film Screening: An exclusive look at the new documentary spotlighting NBS athletes and the power of representation on the slopes.
- Live Entertainment & Performances: Bringing nighttime vibes.
- Elevated Après & Happy Hours: Gather in new Keystone spaces like Kindred to unwind, connect, and celebrate.
Signature Programs & Highlights
At the heart of the Summit are the moments that define our legacy, and the ones shaping its future.
- Welcome Parade & Opening Celebration: Pride, pageantry, and unity on full display as the Summit officially kicks off.
- Masquerade Sneaker Ball: The signature night of the week, where fashion, creativity, and community meet on the dance floor.
- Legacy Luncheon: Honoring the pioneers who built this community and continue to inspire.
- Youth Summit & Mentorship: Empowering the next generation of skiers and riders through connection and storytelling.
- Cultural Spotlights: Daily programs celebrating artistry, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
- Club Connections: Dedicated meetups and mixers hosted by NBS member clubs across the country.
The Roots of Black Skiing
The earliest documented instance of Black American skiing could be found in the digital archives of EBONY magazine, a premier black lifestyle publication founded in 1945.
An article titled “Skiing: Popular Winter Sport Becoming Favorite With Negro Fans” was featured in the February 1949 issue and talked about how the leisure activity is an emerging interest for black college students.
It featured photos of participants smiling on the slopes and spending time together in resort lounges.
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The text says that in 1946, over two dozen black skiers met in Denver to share tips, equipment and personal training.
Thirteen years later, EBONY magazine published an article titled “Detroit Ski Addicts” which connected the Jim Dandy Ski Club to a larger audience across the country.
“You feel a sense of achievement as well as a great joy in being alive.
The feature article continues to talk about the importance of safety on the slopes and places an emphasis on how community building is a vital part of the group’s foundation.
The National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS)
The JDSC is part of a larger network consisting of black ski clubs across the country called the National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS).
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The two founders, Ben Finely and Arthur Clay met at a resort after years of participation in their respective clubs in Los Angeles (Four Seasons West) and Chicago (Sno-Gophers).
The creation of a larger coalition was the brainchild of the two, in addition to members of Jim Dandy, which eventually led to the first “Black Summit in Aspen” in 1973.
The 13 founding clubs range from states like Washington and California, to Ohio and Massachusetts.
Although the origin date is noted as Thanksgiving of 1973, the NBS wasn’t officially recognized as a non-profit organization until 1975.
Outside Online’s “Oral History of the National Brotherhood of Skiers” talks about how the organization would go on to develop scholarships for promising winter sport athletes and secure corporate sponsorships from companies like General Motors and Subaru.
“There was an overall sense of camaraderie and connection that pervaded the event then and still holds true with the Black Summits today,” the NBS recounts in its official history.
Breaking Barriers and Building Inclusion
Despite these significant advancements, black participation in skiing can be used to analyze the social and institutional factors that reinforce winter sports as synonymous with ideas of whiteness and white supremacy.
This is why Dr. Dr. Harrison’s study identified that the lack of access to formal training and knowledge, as well as the high costs associated with travel, equipment and lodging act as preventative measures, blocking minority hopefuls from aspirations of skiing long before they begin.
Winter sport industry giants understand the negative impact of these racial disparities, and have created programs and grants to increase minority participation.
Vail Resorts, a major leader in snowsports retail, signed a $9 million dollar partnership grant with the NBS and the Boys & Girls Club to increase access to skiing for minority and inner-city youth.
The Jim Dandy Ski Club planted a seed that has seemed to sprout branches globally.
Similar interest groups are popping up with the goal of increasing black access to the outdoors and adventure sports.
Organizations Paving the Way for Diversity in Snowsports
Luckily, several organizations and nonprofits took up the mantle years ago before “DEI” became the buzzword it is today.
These nonprofits have been working hard to break down barriers to the sport for a while now, and we’re inspired by their work and continue to do.
EDGE Outdoors provides scholarships to BIWOC interested in participating in various snowsports programs, from intro to skiing lessons to ski instructor training to avalanche education.
The organization founded in Doug Coombs’ honor introduces kids in the Jackson, Wyo. area to the outdoors through lessons and mentorship programs.
Outdoor Afro focuses on training Black outdoor enthusiasts in leadership roles.
Since 1995, SOS has grown to support over 4,000 youth each year, with ski programs in the Cascades, Sierras, Rockies, and Midwest.
Share Winter Foundation is a grant-giving organization that funds youth snowsports programs nationwide to get more underprivileged kids into the mountains and hooked on the sports they find there.
Thrive Outside is a program implemented by the Outdoor Industry Association trade group in 2019 to help diversify outdoor recreation and learning.
Black Ski Summit: A Continuing Legacy
The NBS Summit is where generations meet, stories are shared, and lifelong friendships are built.
For 53 years, the NBS Summit has been the cornerstone of Black Snowsports: part celebration, part family reunion, part once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Each registration supports the NBS mission: expanding access, funding scholarships, and developing athletes of color to compete at the highest levels of winter sports.
Whether you’re carving your first run or your hundredth, the Summit is where the culture of the mountain comes alive.
This is your invitation to be part of something bigger: to ski, ride, celebrate, and make history with us.